Huck Finn’ belongs in the curriculum

Sunday

Feb 3, 2013 at 6:00 AM

There is often a work of literature that becomes an icon of a pivotal point in literary history. In Spain, “Don Quixote” signaled an end to romantic feudalism. “Madame Bovary” satirized French Romanticism and exposed that country to the light of Realism. In the United States, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” became a beacon of Realism and a wonderful parody of the Romantic past, including the romanticism of racism, elitism, and fantasy.

Attempts to eliminate Mark Twain’s masterpiece from the curriculum of high school English are offensive and misguided, especially when coupled with attempts to replace it with shallow works devoid of historical imprint.

STEPHEN J. POWER

Worcester

Each week, we’ll select a letter to The People’s Forum, on any topic, that we consider particularly interesting and well-written. The writer will receive an engraved rosewood Telegram & Gazette Letter of the Week pen.